MANAGEMENT

MMG's Las Bambas suspended due to protest

Protesters entered the property on April 14.

MMG will have to halt Las Bambas production once more after community protests.

MMG will have to halt Las Bambas production once more after community protests.

Fresh protests have once again forced MMG's Las Bambas copper mine in Peru to halt production.

Production of copper will be halted on April 20 due to safety concerns, MMG said in a statement.

Protesters entered the property on April 14. The Fuerabamba community was protesting the company's alleged failure to comply with social investment commitments, MMG said.

"As part of its commitments, the Fuerabamba community was resettled in a high-quality modern township," MMG said. The township is equipped with modern infrastructure, as well as health and education facilities.

A meeting was held on April 16 by Peru's minister of mines and energy with community representatives and the mining company, but no resolution was reached.

Meetings with the prime minister's office are scheduled in the next few days, MMG said.

Mine protests have been sweeping the country in recent weeks. Southern Copper Corp's Cuajone copper mine has been unable to operate since late February, when local residents cut off water to the mine, Reuters reported.

Las Bambas had to dial down its operations earlier this year due to a community road blockade. In December 2021, MMG also had to halt mine production due to a dwindling of resources caused by a community road blockade.

The mine produces 2% of the global copper supply and is the second-largest copper mine in the world, Reuters reported.

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